Dog's dental health has become a growing issue over the past few years. It was recently reported that a healthy mouth can result in a longer life for a pooch, according to the Post Washington Patch.

The news source also offers a few tips on how to keep your dog gum disease free. The first discusses the importance of knowing that a dog's bad teeth can be detrimental to your canine's health. Also, dental diseases can cause a wide range of problems including halitosis, tooth loss, periodontal disease and may eventually affect their heart and kidneys, the news source reports.

According to the Patch, dental products that are made for humans are not safe for pups.

According to the ASPCA, many dogs start showing signs of gum disease as early as four-years-old, which may be due to the fact that many pet parents are unaware of proper dental hygiene care for their canines.

In addition, a way to possibly avoid these dental issues is to make sure you do not skip any annual exams at the veterinarian's office.

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